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Monday, September 30, 2013

Living by a ravine in my neck of the woods is not such a good thing, but apparently it's different in Edmonton, Alberta Canada where a new Holmes Community is being developed. In a press release, the Holmes Group announced today a brand new development, the Creekside Ravine at Cameron Heights, would carry Mike's name and reputation as it's built along the outskirts of an environmentally protected area. Residents would enjoy views of the North Saskatchewan River and the Wedgewood Ravine. To promote sales of homes in the newly proposed community, a sales even will be held in Edmonton on October 4 in which Mike Holmes will attend and meet with prospective buyers.

Mike Holmes to build HOLMES COMMUNITIES development in Edmonton

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - The Holmes Group ispleased to announce the development of a new HOLMES COMMUNITIES project in Edmonton, Alberta.

Creekside Ravine at Cameron Heights overlooks the Wedgewood Ravine, with 10 of its 16 lots directly backing onto the environmentally protected reserve. It represents a project that fits the HOLMES COMMUNITIES mandate of responsible community development, while creating healthy living environments for residents and homeowners.
"We're building smart because as builders and community developers, we have a responsibility to build sustainably," stated Mike Holmes whose company, The Holmes Group, has a vested interest in and is directly involved in all aspects of the community's planning and development. "That means using our natural resources responsibly, like the rain, sunlight, wind—even natural overland drainage and bioswales. We're working with the land and building homes that make sense—for homeowners and the environment," added Holmes.
The mission behind HOLMES COMMUNITIES is to create a series of low-impact developments that integrate sustainable features while maintaining a healthy balance with the surrounding environment.
Residents of Cameron Heights will enjoy views of the North Saskatchewan River to the northeast and the Wedgewood Ravine to the northwest. The Cameron River Valley runs through the entire neighbourhood, and a 15-acre park site with trail system connects it to the ravine.
A sales event with Mike Holmes will be held on October 4th starting at 1PM at the intersection of Chahley Landing and Chahley Way in Cameron Heights, Edmonton, Alberta.
For more information on the Creekside Ravine at Cameron Heights HOLMES COMMUNITIES project visit CreeksideRavine.com or call 1-855-GO HOLMES.About HOLMES COMMUNITIES
HOLMES Communities is the residential real estate development division of The Holmes Group. The HOLMES Communities program promotes quality residential construction through the development of environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods, incorporating high performance home and community infrastructure programs. These include HOLMES Approved Homes Requisites & Guidelines, HOLMES Approved Builders, HOLMES Approved Staged Inspections, Low Impact Construction, Efficient Power Sources and Effective Energy Management.
SOURCE The Holmes Group/Holmes Approved Homes For further information:
For all media inquiries regarding Mike Holmes, The Holmes Group and the HOLMES Communities program, please contact:
Amanda Heath, Communications Manager The Holmes Grouppublicity@makeitright.ca

Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Holmes Spot reported not too long ago that Mike Holmes would be involved in a event sponsored by the Insurance Bureau of Canada for the people of Calgary. The purpose of the event will be to dispense free advice as to how to make people's home more resilient to future storms, all while having the least possible impact on the environment. The local show "Go Calgary" created a video segment further explaining the event, how to attend, and what people will take away from it by attending. "Building Resilience with Mike Holmes" will take place on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 in Calgary, Alberta Canada. It is free to attend, but seats are limited. For more information, please see previous Holmes Spot blog entry Building Resilience with Mike Holmes.

Friday, September 27, 2013

When bad things happen, we oftentimes have a tendency to blame others instead of ourselves. Such is the case in the article below where Mike describes an older house with a leaky basement. The owners had lived in the house for a number of years with no problems, until two custom homes were built on either side of their home. Suddenly, water began flooding in through their foundation walls. The homeowners' first inclination was to blame the builders of the new homes, after all the leaks started when the homes were built. But upon further examination, Mike soon came to the realization that the old home had some major problems such as cracks in the cinder block foundation, an improper weeping tile system, and a lack of window wells, all of which could have been addressed with proper maintenance. As Mike says, nothing lasts forever. Everything must be maintained to avoid the inevitable wear that come with time. Sometimes when something goes wrong inside a house, it isn't because of the builder. We all need to learn how to properly maintain our homes and address wear and tear before it becomes a major problem. If you neglect basic home maintenance, you have no one to blame but yourself.

A basement window
that is built at grade level or below should have a window well to help control
water and prevent leaks. Photograph by: The Holmes Group

When problems start happening in the home, most people
want to blame something or someone else. “Oh, it’s because no one knows how to
do anything anymore.” “They used cheap materials.” “They didn’t do this right.”

I’ve made those criticisms a few times myself. But
sometimes the source of the problem isn’t a bad contractor, tradesperson or
builder — it might be a little closer to home.

I was working on this job where the homeowners were
convinced their basement was flooding because two big custom homes were built
on both sides of their house. They had lived in their home for almost 10 years
and never had a problem. But after these two homes were built, water started
coming into the basement through the foundation and around the windows.

Why would this happen? Think about it. A big home means a
big roof. So all the water that would have fallen on the ground is now falling
on this one roof, and being drained at a few points on the ground. Depending on
how close these points are to the property next door, they can direct more
water to their foundation. Now times that by two, because the home I was
working on had this happening on either side.

The homeowners were ready to blame the builder who built
the other two homes. But after taking a look at their foundation and basement
windows, I knew the flooding could have been prevented.

For starters, there were no window wells around the
basement windows. A properly installed window well, with a weeping tile, will
take surface water away from the foundation and down to the weeping tile along
the footings. Otherwise, all that water can leak into the window at grade.

Next, this house had a cinder block foundation. I love
cinder block, but it cracks easily. If there’s a crack anywhere between the
blocks or in the cinder blocks themselves, water will find its way into the
basement. This house had a few major cracks.

And there were holes in the foundation wall. Whoever
finished the basement didn’t build a proper two-by-four wall away from the
foundation. Instead it was strapped to the cinder block, which doesn’t leave
any space for electrical outlets. So anywhere there was an electrical outlet,
they made a hole in the cinder block.

If that wasn’t enough, the house had an old clay weeping tile
system — not to mention no gravel around the weepers, just sand. The way those
systems used to be built was that the terracotta pieces would just sit next to
each other. If there was a tiny gap between them, sand could (and did) get in.

That sediment builds up over the years and can clog the
weeping tile; and once that happens, the weeping tile won’t be able to drain as
well. Before you know it, you’ve got water in the basement.

Anyone who has ever had to fix their foundation knows
that the best repairs happen from the outside. So that’s what we did.

We had to excavate the side of the house and grind out
the cracks. Then we filled them with hydraulic cement, which expands as it dries
so it seals the area. Then we installed a waterproofing membrane system — right
from the footings to just above grade. It’s flexible and will keep the
foundation watertight.

Finally, we covered everything with a dimpled membrane
product that protects the coating underneath and stops the water from coming
in.

This was a 60-year-old house, so it had some wear and
tear. But if the right pro had properly addressed that wear and tear, the
flooding wouldn’t have happened.

Eventually, this house was going to get water coming into
the basement, regardless of the other two homes. All it needed was a couple
more years and one bad storm. Did the two big homes on either side speed up the
process? Yes. But they weren’t the cause.

The truth is that, if the house had been properly
maintained — specifically the foundation, it wouldn’t have flooded. It should
have been able to stand up to whatever extra run-off there was. The two custom
homes put this home to the test. Unfortunately, it showed all the cracks and weak
points in the foundation.

Nothing lasts forever. But building the right way and
proper maintenance can help prevent problems and ensure your home stands the
test of time.

Catch Mike Holmes in an all-new season of Holmes Makes It
Right, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For
more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

On September 20, Mike Holmes was in Chicago for a "satellite media tour" in which he gave safety and home maintenance tips. He also admitted to having a crazy fan who knocked him off his feet (literally!) sending him to the hospital. One topic he discussed with a local news station out of Kansas City, Missouri was having patience during a renovation. Mike Holmes is all about slowing things down and doing them right, making sure you pay attention to the small details. Mike Holmes also said that people like me who wear flip flops while mowing the lawn are "foolish." Sorry Mike!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

On September 20, Mike Holmes was in Chicago doing a "satellite media tour" emphasizing safety and home maintenance tips for the soon-coming winter. One of the segments ended up on USA Today, where they asked him a series of five rather interesting questions, such as which tool would he use to ward off a zombie apocalypse...

Things I learned from watching this video:

1) Mike Holmes' garage is macho. (Duh!)
2) People are freakin' crazy.
3) Mike lives in his own personal bed and breakfast.
4) DWTS is definitely NOT in Mike's future, as ballroom dancing does not sound very appealing.
5) Mike Holmes would ward off zombies with his trusty sledge hammer.

And last but not least...

6) A crazy fat lady smashed Mike's head into the concrete, sending him to the emergency room. I assure you, it wasn't me! I'm neither fat, nor am I crazy... just thought I'd put that out there!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

I'm a big fan of satire, and have used it myself to make a point or two in my lifetime. I found this recent video satirically criticizing Mike's latest building project in Winnipeg, The Yards at Fort Rouge. Just some quick background, The Yards is a condo project currently under phase 1 construction in Winnipeg which Mike Holmes is overseeing through his inspection company, Mike Holmes Inspections. Mike has already attended the Grand Opening Sales Event earlier this week, addressing criticisms current and future residents have about issues such as an increase in traffic and, from what it sounds like in this video, straining already limited utilities such as the sewer system. The project is being developed by Gem Equities, headed by Andrew Marquess, who has been the subject of lawsuits in the past for dubious business decisions. To be fair, Andrew Marquess has admitted his previous failures attributing them to hard times, and has addressed and settled all previous lawsuits against his companies.

So there's the controversy in a nutshell. In the video "Lord Roberts" addresses Mike Holmes, pointing out satirically how working class people are being suckered into buying these condos located near noisy railroad tracks and a fire station, and that Andrew Marquess is using Mike's good reputation to peddle a bad idea to unsuspecting people. I obviously don't agree with a lot of the conclusions that people are making, but I respect the opinions of those who are concerned -- after all, they do have to live there.

And FYI, I currently live in a reclaimed industrial area. There's a rock quarry not too far from my house, and the main road that connects where I live to the rest of the city is a major highway. All other roads in my area are pretty inadequate for the amount of traffic, and during rush hour it gets rather thick. I cross railroad tracks on my way home, and sometimes I hear a the train. I also live near a fire station, and a police station. I hear trains and sirens a lot, but I would not consider these noises a disruption to my life. I say this to point out that people are resilient and will learn to deal and adapt to changing conditions. Increased traffic is not a good enough reason to halt progress in my opinion, however annoying it may be. As far as whether or not the homes will be built good enough? With Mike Holmes' fingers in the project, I'm confident that construction will be nothing but top notch, if for no other reason than Mike Holmes' company is involved.

Regardless of how anyone personally feels, this video certainly does a good job at showing the "cons" of the project, in a humorous and satirical way. I enjoyed it...

Monday, September 23, 2013

On September 20, Mike did a live home maintenance and safety segment from a sound stage in Chicago, which appears to have been piped into local news broadcasts around North America. He he announced this segment on his Facebook page:

Any fall projects coming up? I am in Chicago today on a Satellite Media Tour giving tips on how to stay safe.

This particular YouTube video bears the markings from a local Pahrump, Nevada news station. This was surprising to me, because Pahrump is just a 30 minute drive from where I live! Just a little interesting tid bit :)

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Mike Holmes was in Winnipeg yesterday, September 21, for the ribbon cutting ceremony at The Yards at Fort Rouge Grand Opening Sales Event, located at 661 Argue St. After an informal meet and greet with attendees, a question and answer session was held where residents and future buyers were allowed to address their concerns about the controversial project to Mike himself. The event was held between the hours of 11AM and 3PM. Mike explained why he was doing the project and stood by his decision, implying that going with controversial builder Gem Equities was the right decision to achieve his goals to build environmentally friendly homes that will last for a long time. "So obviously for years, I've been sick and tired of minimum code. Sick and tired of the builders and developers out there that don't care about you, that don't care about the environment, that they care about making money and getting rich... are we thinking about the environment? Are we thinking about building smarter?" Mike explained to residents how his company would be documenting every step of the build and overseeing the project to make sure the project is done right and all parties involved are satisfied and happy. "This community will be a beginning for Winnipeg to start from, to build better, to move on to keeping this...if anyone's got a negative, I'd really like to hear it because I don't see a negative here whatsoever." The planned community will be located next to the Jubilee Avenue rapid transit corridor so that residents can live without cars if they so choose.

Celebrity handyman, Mike Holmes, was in Winnipeg Saturday for the ribbon cutting of a new, energy townhouse development his company will help build. (CBC)

Home improvement celebrity Mike Holmes was in Winnipeg for the ribbon cutting for a new townhouse project at the CN Fort Rouge Yards that he will help build.
Holmes made the sales pitch to potential buyers at the construction site Saturday afternoon.

"These homes are designed for you, for me, for the environment for everyone to last," said Holmes. "I have been filming five year old homes, and it makes me sick that I have to go in and fix these houses."
The television handyman's company, The Holmes Group, will be involved in the construction of what its calling energy efficient townhomes that will have access to rapid transit, bike paths and green spaces.
The area is being developed by Gem Equities, calling it Winnipeg's first transit-oriented project.

Some people living in Fort Rouge aren't happy with the developers, saying they're not sure if the project is right for the neighbourhood.

Residents were handing out flyers Saturday which listed the project's negative points.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Mike Holmes is no stranger to controversy. He often takes stands that forces others to take notice. Such is the case with Mike's latest controversial project, the Winnipeg town house project The Yards at Fort Rouge. It seems kind of funny that a building development could raise so many eyebrows, but it has. In fact, it has residents "steamed" according to the CBC news story below. The reasons for the controversy range from residents being unhappy about the changes a development of that that size will bring to their local community to concerns about controversial developer Andrew Marquess. Once complete, The Yards at Fort Rouge will span 400 units, which will indubitably bring more traffic to the area. Residents are also concerned that the project will develop too much of their "green space" areas. Both of those complains are fairly common with any building project that goes up, but one area of contention stands out above the rest. People are concerned with the fact that Mike Holmes is mingling his good name with Gem Equities, a builder which has accrued many complaints and lawsuits in its lifetime.

Mike's association with this builder is so contentious that people have been inundating blogs and websites like the Holmes Spot with spam comments. I've manually pushed some of these comments through due to the fact that Blogger has filtered them into the spam folder. The fact they're being filtered out as spam tells me that people are posting these pre-fabricated comments in multiple places. Dissenting opinions are welcome, but mass-posted nuisance comments will be removed and marked as spam. If you post a dissenting opinion, it better be from YOU, and you better post it once, not in multiple places on this blog.

Mike will be addressing concerns of residents today, Saturday, September 21, 2013 in a town hall style open house. Mike will no doubt attempt to address the concerns of residents and further elaborate on this project and his involvement with it.

A celebrity builder is on his way to Winnipeg to put his stamp of approval on a controversial urban condo development this weekend.

Home improvement guru Mike Holmes is scheduled to be at an open house at a massive Fort Rouge development.

The Yards condo development is a large in-fill project that runs alongside the main CN line and near the city’s rapid transit corridor.

Holmes is a partner in the development and will inspect the workmanship as the condos are built.

But some residents in the area aren’t happy he’s involved in a project associated with local developer GEM Equities.

“We’d ask [Holmes] to be respectful to our community and ask him why he’s upending his really good reputation by associating himself with such a controversial developer,” said area resident Bev Pike.

Andrew Marquess owns B&M Lands and GEM Equities. His companies have both faced numerous civil suits and have been the subject of many complaints to the Residential Tenancies Branch.

A court registry shows he has settled all of the law suits filed against him, and according to Marquess, those problems are behind him.

“It was a difficult period of time for us,” he said. “Many businesses have ups and downs. We had ups and downs, and we’re moving forward.”

But Pike said it’s not just the legal difficulties that concern area residents. Pike said residents are worried about traffic, a loss of green space and the height of the development.

“We haven’t been satisfied with the public consultations. They’ve been marketing sessions. They’ve not been genuine consultations where people sit down and share ideas back and forth,” said Pike.

But Marquess said a lot of effort has been made to include area residents in the process.

“We’ve reached out to a certain small group after the public consultations and zoning process were complete,” he said. “[We] tried to listen to their concerns about traffic and traffic during construction.”

Holmes is scheduled to appear on Saturday, and will inspect the workmanship as the condos are built. Residents are hoping he will lend an ear about their concerns, and Marquess is banking on Holmes’ reputation will help keep things moving forward smoothly.

Friday, September 20, 2013

A quick side note... Mike Holmes has announced on his Facebook page that he is in Chicago today, doing some media. There aren't any more details about what he's doing, but I'm sure we'll know in the next day or so, if not sooner!

Any fall projects coming up? I am in Chicago today on a Satellite Media Tour giving tips on how to stay safe.

Just thought I'd mention that quick little detail before I move on to today's topic, which is the development that Mike has been involved with in Winnipeg. As I posted not too long ago, Mike Holmes has lent his name and support to a townhouse project called The Yards at Fort Rouge (see "The Yards at Fort Rouge" Building Project In Winnipeg for more information). People seem to be pretty excited about having the opportunity to purchase a "Holmes Approved" home, and the first phase of the project is expected to sell out very quickly. This article from the Winnipeg Sun goes into more detail about the development and Mike's involvement in the project. Once completed, the community is expected to be 400 units, which utilize energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling. The community is also expected to be within walking distance of public transit and the University, which makes it possible for residents to function without a car if they so choose.

An artist's rendering of The Yards at Fort Rouge, a housing development supported by TV star Mike Holmes. The grand opening sales event takes place on Sept. 21, 2013, in Winnipeg. (HANDOUT SKETCH)

Mike Holmes is not only lending his well-known name to The Yards at Fort Rouge development, but his expertise as well.

The star of the Holmes on Homes home-improvement TV show insisted upon top-level construction at the unique development.

"When Mike came on board, he changed the level of construction we were doing," said Monica Newman, the broker for Rim Rock Realty, which is handling the sales of town homes near the Jubilee Avenue rapid transit corridor.

"The benefit is that the home owner is getting a quality of construction beyond the standard spec, and you can tell people they are getting something that has never been offered before."

And the name doesn't hurt, either.

In fact, Holmes will be attending the grand opening sales event at the display suite at 661 Argue St. on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The land at the old CN Fort Rouge yards is being developed by Gem Equities and should be the city's first transit-oriented development.

"What makes it special is that it's an in-field community where you can function without a car," Newman said. "It's minutes from downtown and from the University of Manitoba, and it's within walking distance of transit."

The community will feature 400 units of energy-efficient town homes that will employ geothermal heating and cooling.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

In June of this year, devastating flood waters ripped through Calgary, Alberta Canada. Many families were forced to flee the area, only to return to homes that were too moldy and structurally damaged to save. Since that day, Mike has been a public advocate for the people of Calgary who were affected by the flood. He's been doing what he can to raise awareness, raise money, and raise people's spirits, always emphasizing hope that the situation will get better and the patience needed for things to be done right.

On October 1, 2013, Mike Holmes will continue to lend his support to the people of Calgary by attending the Building Resistance with Mike Holmes event, sponsored by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, during which people are invited to ask their questions pertaining to renovation and how to increase their home's resistance to future severe storms. The event is being held at the TELUS Convention Centre, located at 120 9 Avenue SE in Calgary from 7-9PM. You must register by phone or online to attend the event.

In partnership with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, The City of Calgary
invites you to an evening with Mike Holmesfrom Holmes on
Homes and Holmes Makes It Right.
Climate change is resulting in more frequent, and severe storms. This is an
opportunity for you to hear from one of North America's most respected builders
about what you can do to increase your home's resilience and potentially save
you money and reduce your environmental impact.

For more information, contact Robin Sauve at 403.268.1148 or by e-mail.

Have your renovation questions answered

There will be an opportunity to ask Mike Holmes your personal renovation
questions during the Question and Answer portion of the event.Who is Mike Holmes?Mike Holmes has been a profession licensed contractor since
1980, incorporating the skills of licensed and certified subtrade professionals
for all specialized jobs under his authority. His formal certification includes
a General Contractor License, incuding Liability and Workers' Compensation
Insurance, as well as two Honorary Doctorates.
Most notably, Mike is the host and creator of Holmes on Homes®- a ratings sensation since 2004 - and continues to help people in
desparate situations on his new series, Holmes Makes It Right.
Through his company, The Holmes Group, Mike Holmes leads an international
brand with operations in independent media production, new home building and
home inspection, as well as expansion into product development. The Holmes Group
is responsible for developing and managing all HOLMES branded entities,
including HOLMES homes, MIKE HOLMES Inspections, HOLMES Workwear, Make It Right
Releasing Inc. and The Holmes Foundation.
Mike is a craftsman with integrity who not only understands the practices of
the building trade, but is also dedicated to adapting them to the changing needs
of homeowners and the environment.
His mission is to improve the building industry from the ground up and raise
building standards across the board. By sharing his knowledge through television
and media, Mike has been able to bring his message to the global forefront.This event is sponsored by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. ​

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Yesterday, I posted a great book review of Mike's "Holmes Inspection" book. In the review, the author talked about Mike's "build from the inside out" philosophy, as opposed to just worrying about the fit and finish of the home. In this recent article written by Mike, he talks about his idea of building "modern." To most people, the term modern applies to style, finish, and furnishings, but to Mike it means something a little different. When Mike thinks modern, he thinks about the latest and greatest building technology and materials. Structure isn't very sexy to the average homeowner, but in Mike's eyes, there's no point in having a beautiful interior without protecting it from the exterior. A person can pick the fanciest and most expensive tiles for his kitchen and bathroom, but if they're not properly installed using the correct materials, they will shift and crack. It's also important to know that the latest and greatest building technology is only as good as the contractor. If your contractor uses the best building materials but doesn't know enough about how to install them, you're in big trouble.

From the National Post:Mike Holmes: How to keep your modern lovableMike Holmes | 03/09/13 | Last Updated: 30/08/13 4:26 PM ET

A lot of homeowners say they want a “modern” home. But what does that really mean? Is it a modern look or a modern build?

When most homeowners think of modern they’re usually concerned about the finishes — state-of-the-art appliances, the latest and greatest in bathroom and kitchen fixtures, lighting, flooring and so on. This is fine and I get it. If you have the money, why not?

But what I don’t get is homeowners spending all their money on “modern” finishes and not thinking about the construction that protects everything — including the fancy finishes — and makes it last.

The building and renovation industry is always changing. New products, materials and practices are constantly being introduced. Even building code changes, reflecting changes in the environment and the conditions in which we work and build.

There are new or “modern” building practices that help protect your home and keep it looking good for years. For example, using ice and water shield to protect the roof; PinkWood for its mould, moisture and fire-resistant properties; or Schluter®-DITRA underlayment to prevent tiles from shifting, grout from cracking and to protect the subfloor from water damage.

But modern also means new, so not everyone is going to know about these new products and how to use them properly. So choose your contractor carefully. That means doing the research, talking to the right experts and asking the right questions.

Bottom line: anyone you hire — whether it’s a contractor, designer, builder or architect — should be helping you make smart decisions for your home.

For example, when it comes to tiles, “modern” isn’t always better. New tile designs have a tendency to get discontinued, so if one cracks in a couple of years you might not be able to replace it. Getting a few spares is a good idea.

Big windows are another big trend in modern homes. They let in the light but they can also cause potential heat loss or gain. The bigger the window the more important it is to make sure it’s properly insulated, sealed and that the structure around it can support the weight sitting on top of it.

The good news is that “modern” big windows are better made than old ones. You can get windows with low-e, triple-glazed glass and argon gas in between the panes to help stop heat loss or gain.

I’m also seeing more curved walls in newer homes. Constructing a curved wall is more labour intensive, which means more money at the end of the day. And if you have a wall that bends, the baseboards and crown moulding will need to bend too. Can it be done? Yes. But again, it requires more work and it will cost you.

A modern home nowadays has more open space and fewer walls. That means using the right materials and proper structures that can carry the appropriate weight along long stretches. The best are steel beams but they are very, very expensive, especially the long ones.

So what some contractors will do is use LVLs (laminated veneer lumber) or TJI floor joists to carry that weight over longer spans, so you don’t need as many walls. The downside is that LVLs and TJIs tend to burn quicker because of the adhesives in them. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be used, but your contractor should tell you what you’re getting and why.

Another thing to remember is that modern can also mean trendy. If you choose to do a modern reno you might want to change things within a few years — especially if you’re thinking of reselling. Construction and trends don’t mix, unless you have boatloads of money. Not to mention all the extra waste it creates.

To me modern building is about protecting your home better, making it last, and using the right products and building practices that help do that — old and new.

Your home shouldn’t just look good; it should be good. You should learn what it takes to get the look you want and the protection you need.

Catch Mike Holmes in an all-new season of Holmes Makes It Right, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

Monday, September 16, 2013

It has been argued, by me and by others, that Mike Holmes' book "The Holmes Inspection: Everything You Need to Know before You Buy or Sell Your Home" is the definitive manual for every homeowner. It is a thorough and complete resource written in plain and simple language that the average homeowner can easilly understand. In the book, Mike Holmes underscores that buying a home can be an exciting and downright scary process, but by slowing down and following the proper steps one can avoid the nasty and oftentimes expensive surprises that can accompany the process.

It's one thing to read a glowing book review by an adoring fan, but it's an entirely different thing to read a review by someone who has read and used the book for practical purposes and found it helpful in his or her own situation. Such is the case with the author of the article below. In the article, the author explains how she recently bought a home and despite getting a home inspection, was caught by surprise when she found some major issues in need of maintence. The author also explained how she learned the wisdom of Mike's advice to work from the inside out as opposed to worrying about the fit and finishes. As Mike says quite often, who cares if you have the most beautiful hardwoods, the most expensive granite countertops, and top of the line furnishings if your roof is leaking and your walls are full of mold? The message of Mike's book in a nutshell -- unless your house is structurally sound, nothing else really matters!

As some of you might recall, I joined the homeowners club at the beginning of May.
Now four months into home ownership, I'm still attempting to figure out exactly what I got myself into. The last time I wrote about the progress on my house, I was building up my bravado, talking about all the great weeding I planned to do this summer.
Well, summer is at its end. And my yard is still a terrifying jungle, teeming with strange bugs, reaching vine and every sort of weed you can imagine. I've now convinced myself that I can't do any real changes to the yard until the weather cools in October, when I can safely tear out all the weeds and replant what I actually want to keep. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself is going to happen.
While seeking respite from the heat during my weeding hiatus, I found myself once again focused on indoor projects. I returned to my curtain-making attempts, but my beautification efforts were halted when I reached the second floor and discovered fresh water stains on the window sill. My suspicions were confirmed when I found water dripping from the top sill while it rained.
Naturally, my first reaction was to blame the inspector. "He should have caught that; the other owners should have fixed it," etc. Basically, "grumble, grumble, grumble."

Never mind the fact that I noticed those stains during the inspection (and didn't ask about them) or the fact that I again wondered about the stains as I washed the window frames in May. Disregard all of that. No blame on my part!
As it turns out, leaking windows are only a symptom of other exterior problems. And thanks to my inattentiveness and the house's vacancy for a year, I almost had a huge problem. But after a patched roof, rotten wood removed and replaced, peeling paint scraped and repainted and a slew of cash gone, the problem is fixed.

This whole experience was an eye-opener to the realities of home ownership, which I admit I am still learning about. So to get a better understanding of the ins and outs of my house, I found a great book at the library, "The Holmes Inspection: Everything You Need to Know before You Buy or Sell Your Home" by Mike Holmes.

As a tie-in to his show, "Holmes Inspection," the book covers a broad range of details to keep in mind when reviewing the condition of a house. While the title makes it sound as though it is only useful for buyers and sellers, it's also helpful for current homeowners wanting to know signs of potential damage to their property.

The first two chapters explain the need for a home inspection and the importance in approaching it slowly to prevent mistakes. Holmes discusses what inspectors do and don't watch for and emphasizes that the inspector should be selected carefully. He talks about the average price of an inspection and reminds the reader that every house, regardless of age, will need at least some work done.

The best reality check for me was summed up at the end of Chapter 2, reiterating what most inspectors will state in their reports: "'A second-hand property normally requires 3 percent of the total property value in repairs, replacements and maintenance in the first year of ownership.'"

Truer words were never spoken.

After the initial overview, Holmes launches into the components of a house to be monitored during an inspection. He starts with the exterior and then leads into the interior and the mechanical elements. His tips scattered throughout the book are loaded with great facts, such as "10 things to know about older houses," "The best time to buy" and "Deciding what to fix first."

"Deciding what to fix first" definitely caught my attention, because I initially jumped ahead to Step 6 (walls, trim, etc.) and ignored Steps 1-5 (safety, structure, exterior condition, efficiency and major upgrades). From now on, I'm going to listen to his tips and work from the outside in, just like he suggests.

The final section of the book equals in value to the book's other contents, including the real life case studies, inspection overview and tips combined, in that it offers checklists to use in various house situations.

It offers questions to ask the real estate agent, inspector and their references; suggests documents to have on hand when selling your home; presents questions to ask the seller; and includes questions to ask about the various interior, exterior and mechanical elements of your house.

With utility for just about anyone involved in the housing market, this book helped me gain a more realistic perspective on how to approach my future home repairs and provided me with enough answers to settle my doubts and fears about home ownership. I might still be a novice, but I'm up for the challenge. Let's see what the next season brings!

Amber Castens is an adult and teen services librarian at the Urbana Free Library, where she is also the technology volunteer program coordinator.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

I discovered today that Damon Bennett has a public figure Facebook page, something which I feel is LONG overdue. Damon Bennett is, for all those who don't know, Mike Holmes' number one go-to guy. He's been with Mike since the early days of Holmes on Homes, and he's been his site supervisor for as long as I can remember. He's also slated to be getting his own show, Damon Bennett Restoration Co. Rumor has it, it may be airing as soon soon as January in Canada.

So how popular is Damon and why does he need his own Facebook page? Well, the most visited post on the Holmes Spot is IT'S THE DAMON SHOW! posted just about a year ago on September 16, 2012. The second most visited post on the Holmes Spot is An Update on Damon Bennett Restoration Co. posted in January of this year. Tens of thousands of people have visited these pages, which indicates to me that Damon has a lot of fans! "Damon Bennett" is also the second most searched for term on the Holmes Spot, right behind "Is Mike Holmes Married."

So to all the Mike and Damon fans who have Facebook accounts, I would encourage you to check out Damon's page and support it by liking it.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

In early 2013, Filtrete brand air filters began running a commercial featuring Mike Holmes. As part of their campaign featuring Mike, 3M sponsored a contest in which one lucky homeowner would win a $30,000 home renovation and a Holmes Approved home inspection. A grand prize winner for the contest has been announced, as well as the four runners up, who will each receive $5000 to aid them in their renovations.

"Many homeowners don’t realize that things like mold and water damage can lead to big problems, like poor indoor air quality"

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Holly Grant of Sterling Heights, Mich. was selected as the grand prize winner of the Filtrete Healthy Home Remodel Contest. Grant’s winning submission detailed concerns with mold and active water leaks in her house and described her family’s wish to create a healthy home environment for their 18-month-old son, who suffers from serious respiratory issues. Filtrete Brand, known for its air and water filtration products, in partnership with America’s Most Trusted Contractor Mike Holmes will be providing the Grant Family a home inspection and $30,000 cash to put towards much needed repairs and renovations.
“We bought our house as a ‘fixer-upper’ knowing we would have our work cut out for us,” said Holly Grant, winner of the national contest. “But when we discovered hidden mold in our nursery-to-be – and welcomed our son three months ahead of schedule – we entered the Filtrete Healthy Home Remodel Contest as a plea for help – to tackle these urgent home repairs and minimize any long-term health and safety risks for my family.”
To help improve the health and safety of her home, The Holmes Group, an organization founded by Mike Holmes with divisions dedicated to providing thorough, high quality residential inspections and building services, will provide a Holmes approved home inspector and contractor to examine the home and identify health and safety concerns, as well as help manage repairs to make the home healthier for the family. For families with similar home concerns, Holmes offers these ‘SAFETY’ tips:

S: Seek professional assistance if you suspect there are traces of lead in your home.

A: Address indoor air quality and change your air filter.

F: Fix leaks to prevent mold and mildew

E: Exercise caution around appliances

T: Test for dangerous gases and make sure smoke and monoxide detectors are working properly

Y: Yield healthier results with regular maintenance—fix small problems now to avoid big repairs later

“Many homeowners don’t realize that things like mold and water damage can lead to big problems, like poor indoor air quality,” said Mike Holmes, contest judge and trusted contractor who appears on HGTV. “Regular home maintenance is key for a healthy home environment and keeping costs low.”
Filtrete Brand offers a full line of high efficiency filters that help support a healthier home by capturing small particles, such as allergens, from the air passing through a home’s forced-air heating, ventilation and air condition system. About the Contest:
Entrants were required to submit a written essay and supporting photos to explain why their homes were deserving of a healthier home remodel. Thousands of entries were received and judged on the entry’s fit to the contest theme, the quality of the essay and the quality of the accompanying images. About the First-Prize Winners: The following first-prize winners received $5,000 cash to put towards home repairs:

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

This story came out about a week ago while I was on my break, so thank you to Jundee and Don M. for bringing it to my attention!

It's really hard not to love Mike's shows. They're like potato chips, you can't watch just one. For me, I watched one episode of Holmes on Homes a few years ago and my DVR has never had a free megabyte of space ever since. Until August 2013, Americans had gone a long time without Mike. Luckily for those of us who do get the DIY network (it is a premium channel for many cable subscribers) Holmes Makes It Right has been airing to a very receptive audience. So receptive, in fact, that the 9/3/13 episode, Caught in a Trap part II, "shattered" audience records, with an astounding 570,000 viewers "making it the most watched episode of any series in DIY Network history." That is amazing, but certainly not surprising! Over half a million people... that's like 10 sold out Metallica concerts! There was no doubt in my mind that Mike's new show was going to be huge when it landed on this side of the border, and when it does finally come out on HGTV/US, I have a feeling it's going to break a few more records.

DIY Network Shatters Audience Records

Page Content

​New York --For Immediate Release - September 5, 2013--DIY Network, celebrating its 14th year anniversary this week, has set a number of audience records for the week ending 9/1/13. In fact, it set a total day audience record on Sunday, 9/1/13, averaging 288,000 viewers. The network also set a record for the most watched week, averaging 171,000 viewers in total day and 260,000 viewers in prime. The momentum continues this week with the Tuesday, 9/3/13 episode of Holmes Makes It Right averaging 570,000 viewers -- making it the most watched episode of any series in DIY Network history. For the week ending 9/1/13 DIY Network reached more than 10.8 million viewers and during August 2013, the network reached 19.3 million viewers.
"The ratings momentum that we're seeing with DIY Network reflects the affinity that audiences have for expert hosts tackling very relatable renovation challenges" said Kathleen Finch, president, HGTV and DIY Network. "Our powerhouse experts inspire and empower DIY-ers to take on their own projects. It's much easier to think you can do it when Mike Holmes, Nicole Curtis or Vanilla Ice have your back."

Viewers can also become fans of DIY Network and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. To find DIY Network's satellite and cable channel designations, check local listings or visit DIYNetwork.com/tv.

About DIY Network

DIY Network, from the makers of HGTV and Food Network, is the go-to destination for rip-up, knock-out home improvement television. Currently in more than 58 million homes, DIY Network's programming covers a broad range of categories, including home improvement and landscaping. The network's award-winning website, DIYNetwork.com, consistently ranks among America's top home and garden Internet destinations for entertaining videos, home improvement advice, step-by-step instructions, message boards, blogs, an interactive program guide and more. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., DIY Network is wholly owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI).

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Mike Holmes is involved a townhouse project called "The Yards at Fort Rouge" in Winnipeg, Canada. The project is being developed by Gem Equities and promises future residents of the energy efficient condos access to amenities such as rapid transit, bike paths, and green spaces. As with most things Mike Holmes gets involved in, not everybody is on board just yet. As this video from the CBC explains, neighbors in surrounding areas have several concerns regarding increased traffic in their neighborhoods. To address these concerns, Mike Holmes will be present for an open house on September 21. The official website for the project touts a sustainable community "where natural beauty is part of everyday life."

Here's a CBC News article about the building project reposted from MSN:

Updated: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 18:39:35 GMT | By CBC News, cbc.ca

Mike Holmes to help develop Winnipeg's Fort Rouge Yards

Home improvement guru Mike Holmes is coming to Winnipeg to help build a townhouse project at the former CN Fort Rouge Yards.
The television show host's company, The Holmes Group, will be involved in 'The Yards at Fort Rouge' near the Jubilee Avenue rapid transit corridor.
The area is being developed by Gem Equities, which touts the project as being Winnipeg's first transit-oriented development.
The Holmes Group says it will feature "energy efficient townhomes within a walkable community that has access to existing neighbourhood amenities, including rapid transit, bike paths and green spaces."
The development is next to the Jubilee rapid transit station and runs along the southwest rapid transit corridor.
Holmes says in a news release that geothermal heating and cooling incorporated into the project will reduce its carbon footprint.
"It's about building smart and living well," says the well-known builder in the news release. "We're working with the land and building homes that make sense, for homeowners and the environment."
Monica Newman of Rim Rock Realty, the company handling sales for the project, said people are thrilled Holmes is on board.
"We're getting a lot of excitement, a lot of calls," she said. "He looked at it and kept getting more interested."
The development will see 400 new units built over the next five years.
Newman said the first phase of 40 town homes is expected to sell out fast, especially since Holmes is involved in giving them his stamp of approval. "He will be inspecting each unit four times, plus, he will be giving final inspections to each home owner," Newman said.
But not everyone is as excited. Shane Nestruck, who lives in the Lord Roberts neighbourhood, said he's surprised Holmes is putting his name to project Nestruck believes is poorly thought out.
"I'd like to meet Holmes and I'd like to tell him he may be being used," he said. "To have him involved with this abomination of a development is kind of ironic," he said. "Because from the very beginning this has been done backwards."
Nestruck said residents are sceptical the project is right for the area.
"I get the clear impression that it's a low-end, sort of make-do cookie cutter, jam as many condos into the area as possible."
Both critics and potential buyers will get to question the celebrity contractor themselves.
Mike Holmes is in Winnipeg for an open house on September 21.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Hi everyone... sorry for not posting in the last couple of days. I know some of you are eager for updates. Unfortunately, my husband and I had a major family tragedy and my heart and mind are just not at 100% right now. Anything I would post wouldn't be up to snuff, so I'm temporarily taking a step back.

I WILL be back, soon hopefully. In the mean time, I have updated the "About the Holmes Spot" section of the blog. Read it, comment on it, and let me know what you think. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Masonry is one of the oldest professions in mankind's history, and in the last episode of Holmes Makes It Right, which aired on HGTV/Canada, Damon and Derek teach Sherry how to cut and lay slate. How did she do? Watch "Meet the Masons" to find out!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Mike's done a lot in his career as a celebrity contractor, but despite turning the big 5-0 last month (apparently that's old to some people), retirement is not in the works anytime soon. Mike's got some big plans in years to come as he continues his mission to educate people and change the industry. In this article, Mike talks about his shows, the impact he's had on the industry, and the impact he hopes to have in the future.

The Holmes effect

Regularly voted among the most trusted of Canadians, celebrity contractor Mike Holmes reflects on what he's accomplished and says he's not done yet

By Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen August 29, 2013

Mike Holmes says educating the public about construction quality has been the biggest reward of his TV career.

Photograph by: Handout photo, HGTV

Celebrity contractor Mike Holmes reflects on the effect he’s had on the building industry and trades in the last decade and says there’s more to come.
OTTAWA — He’s just turned 50 and has built an entire brand around his own name thanks to his popular and multiple reality television series, his newspaper columns and books, and his visibility on the speakers’ circuit.
So how does Mike Holmes, the contractor who never brooks second best, view his effect on the building industry?
Holmes, who broke into Canadian reality television in 2001 with Holmes on Homes — a Gemini-award winning show that tracked him and his crew as they re-did renovations badly done by others — is back in the media spotlight with the launch of the second season of Holmes Makes It Right on HGTV.
In the opening episode, which aired this week, Holmes and crew save the day, and a homeowner’s life savings, by salvaging a shoddy upgrade of an older home.
Watching people tear into drywall to expose hidden construction flaws sounds like a cure for insomnia. But as always on Holmes’ shows, rapid-action camera work, our natural sympathy for the ripped-off, and the host’s plain-talking blend of fury at shoddy work and his get-the-job-done attitude to repairing it make for engaging television fare.
Has such fare, which has been broadcast in several countries, actually helped discourage bad building practices?
“There’s no question,” says Holmes. “Contractors either say, ‘Oh, I love that guy’ or ‘I hate that S.O.B.’ I’ve even met contractors who hand out copies of my books to clients before signing a contract so the clients know what to look for.”
Holmes, repeatedly named the second most-trusted man in Canada in Reader’s Digest polls since 2010, says educating the public about construction quality through television and other media has been the biggest reward of his TV career over the past dozen years.
That education extends to trades training. He’s long prodded young people to enter the trades, considered a second-class career choice thanks to decades of parents urging their children to enter white-collar and high-tech jobs.
“It’s finally turned around,” says Holmes. “Now it’s cool to be in the trades.”
To foster improved trades training, he launched the Holmes Foundation. Its work includes scholarships and bursaries for those studying the trades.
Saying that 50 per cent of existing tradespeople are due to retire in the next few years, Holmes is optimistic about job prospects. “We need to fix all the crap (a favourite Holmes word when referencing the building industry) that’s been built in the last 50 years.”
That’s “nonsense,” says John Herbert, executive director of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, referring to the “crap” comment. “Building construction has become much more scientific, especially since the early 1970s and the first energy crisis. Materials used, trades training: it’s all gotten a lot better.”
Holmes, who says he gets a lot less blowback from the industry than he thought he would, was criticized for his show Holmes Inspection. The show, which played on HGTV in Canada and the United States, ran for three seasons, ending last year. It tackled homes with major problems — overloaded electrical circuits, for example — that had not been identified during home inspections.

The show, according to Holmes’ website (makeitright.ca), was criticized in part because its host, who trained as a carpenter, lacks a background in engineering. Regardless, the show has spun off both a book (The Holmes Inspection) and an inspection service, Mike Holmes Inspections.
Holmes regularly criticizes builders for sticking to rather than exceeding the building code (Herbert also disputes that, at least in terms of Ottawa builders and especially when it comes to energy efficiency) and cutting costs wherever possible. He pushes homeowners to demand more of builders and contractors by insisting, for example, that they use better, greener products such as wood certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council.
He’d like to see that commitment to building better filter down to trades training.
“We need to be teaching more theory, to get tradespeople to build not just to code but above it.”
Holmes, raised in Toronto and an admitted workaholic — “I never thought I was ’til one of my kids told me, ‘Dad, you are.’ ” — has other projects aimed at enhancing what he still regards as a largely second-rate Canadian building industry.
The Holmes Approved Builder program, for example, is a list of new home builders approved by Holmes for their commitment to quality and energy efficiency. The program has been launched in areas of Alberta and Ontario, but not yet Ottawa.
Another program is Holmes Referred Contractors. The free service helps homeowners find contractors who have been identified by the program as providing quality service. Ottawa contractors are currently being checked out for possible inclusion when the program eventually launches here.
Holmes, who insists he’s a “nice guy” despite his avenging angel attitude toward sloppy building, says he always thought he’d retire at 50, but that is not about to happen.
Asked what the future of the Holmes brand holds, he refuses to divulge anything other than, “I believe some big things. Let’s just say I’m going to continue educating but in a new way.”
Holmes Makes It Right airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV.